Dual path implantable hearing assistance device

Abstract

A dual path implantable hearing assistance system transduces sound vibrations of the malleus in one or both ears into electrical signals, processes the electrical signals to provide one or more resulting output electrical signals, and transduces the output signals into mechanical vibrations provided to the stapes in one or both ears. Communication between an electronics device and at least one ear is either wireless or through subcutaneous lead wires. The system may have two input paths and two output paths, programmable to provide the function of two separate single path systems, but capable of combining the signals such as by weighted summing. The system may have also have two input paths and one output path; or, one input path and two output paths; or, one input path and one output path, each associated with a different ear.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of assisting hearing within a middle ear, the method comprising: 
       receiving a first-ear input signal provided by a first-ear input transducer disposed within a first middle ear in response to sound vibrations therein;  
       processing the first-ear input signal;  
       receiving a second-ear input signal provided by a second-ear input transducer disposed within the second middle ear in response to sound vibrations therein; and  
       processing the second-ear input signal; and  
       providing a second-ear output signal to a second-ear output transducer disposed within a second middle ear.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a first-ear output signal to a first-ear output transducer disposed within the first middle ear for effecting vibrations therein. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of providing the first-ear output signal is in response to the first-ear input signal. 
     
     
       4. The method  claim 2 , wherein the step of providing the second-ear output signal is in response to the second-ear input signal. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the steps of providing respective first-ear and second-ear output signals is in response to a combination of the first-ear and second-ear input signals. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the steps of providing respective first-ear and second-ear output signals is in response to a weighted sum of the first-ear and second-ear input signals. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the steps of processing the first-ear and second-ear input signals is carried out in a device that is electrically coupled to each of the first-ear input and output transducers. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the steps of receiving the second-ear input signal and providing the second-ear output signal includes wireless communication between a first transmitter/receiver that is electrically coupled to the device and a second transmitter/receiver that is electrically coupled to at least one of the second-ear input or output transducers. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the steps of processing the first-ear and second-ear input signals is carried out in a device that is electrically coupled to the first-ear input transducer. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the steps of receiving the second-ear input signal and providing the second-ear output signal includes wireless communication between a first transmitter/receiver that is electrically coupled to the device and a second transmitter/receiver that is electrically coupled to at least one of the second-ear input or output transducers. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of processing the first-ear input signal is carried out in a device that is electrically coupled to the first-ear input transducer. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of providing the second-ear output signal includes wirelessly communicating between a first transmitter/receiver that is electrically coupled to the device and a second transmitter/receiver that is electrically coupled to the second-ear output transducer.